As I begin on the path to pastoral ministry, this blog is designed to keep those who know me updated on what is happening in my life. I will also post interesting tidbits of information and theological thoughts.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

I have not made a post in quite a while, and I actually feel quite bad about it. However, the last few weeks have been very fast-paced and filled with work and school. I do hope to have a few posts this week to give you something to read!Since coming to the seminary, I've noticed quite a push towards personal assessment tests. These would be tests like the Meyers-Briggs, etc. So far, I've taken two of these assessments since coming to campus. It's quite interesting having to take a test to evaluate who you are as a human being. You answer questions about what you would do in certain situations, your likes, your dislikes, etc. Somehow, the people that score these tests always come up with a description that sounds at least a little bit like you.A friend and I were reflecting over these tests on Monday while we were driving to fieldwork. We were reflecting that the personality assessments can make note of two lifestyles: one without Christ, and one in Christ. Now, the tests are secular and don't come right out and say that, but nonetheless, the characters they portray most of the time will fall into one of these two categories.When I've taken these exams, I've noticed that one quality that keeps coming out is my ability to persuade. Now, persuasion can be both a very positive and a very negative tool. It can be used to help people realize your point of view (Paul does this in the book of Acts quite a bit), but it can also be used for selfish purposes. We may try to pull away from the sinfulness of our nature, but we can never quite do it.It reminds me of the first "Homeward Bound" movie. There's a part in the movie where one of the dogs falls into a pit. The dog tries a few times to climb up the side of the pit, but it's muddy and he slides back down. Now of course every movie ends up having a happy ending, so somehow, the dog gets out of the pit and back to its original owner. But this is how we are in sin. We're like a weak dog stuck in the bottom of a muddy pit. On our own, we can never get out. Thankfully, Jesus came as the Perfect Sacrifice so that we could be saved. That doesn't mean that we don't fall into the hole again (quite regularly actually), but we are continually rescued--redeemed--by Christ.We all have special personalities. Certainly not everyone at the seminary is persuasive. Some are reserved, some our very social, etc. But we all have a natural addiction to sin. We're born with it. Thankfully, Christ saves and allows us to use our talents for his good, and not our own selfish ambitions.

Below is a copy of the general newsletter that I send to supporting churches. It contains general information about my daily life at the seminary. While I will try to cover daily life issues in some of my blog posts, I will also use some of the blog space to do some deeper theological thinking. For those of you that want the updates, this is for you!

Greetings!

This is the initial
newsletter in what should be a monthly cycle (at least while classes are in
session). Numerous people have told me that they would enjoy reading about the
life of a seminary student, so I felt eager to come up with some sort of
letter. I hope my writings give you at least a glance into the life of a
seminarian.

Compared to other advanced degrees, the Master of
Divinity degree is quite different. While there is a great amount of intensive
study, there is also a chance for ministerial formation. This formation process
is quite helpful four years from now when many of us (first-year students) will
be placed into our first congregations. One does not simply become a pastor by
studying the Bible and significant theological writings. They also need to
learn how to build relationships, preach, lead, teach, etc. Some of these
things simply cannot be learned in the classroom. Therefore, students must be
out in their communities, working with parishioners, and spending time in new
cultural situations (these are just a few examples). While this first
newsletter will be fairly general, following letters will have deeper
explanations of the formation process.

Cassie and I have never lived anywhere near the state
of Missouri. The city of St. Louis is quite vibrant. However, it is facing some
serious problems with crime and poverty. The seminary is located in a suburb of
St. Louis, but just a few minutes from downtown. We live on campus in condo
units created for married students. The condos are off to the side of the
actual classroom buildings, so I am able to feel like I am “going home” after a
day in classes.

Classes

I have a fairly busy first semester ahead of me.
Currently I am taking Hebrew and Greek readings, Pastoral Ministry,
Introduction to Historical Theology, and a class on Lutheran doctrine. My
professors are very kind and encouraging. However, they do feel free to
challenge the students to dig deep into their work to get the very most out of
the class. While I do like my classes, I will admit that I will be thankful
when I am done with both Hebrew and Greek!

Field Work

Every seminary student
is involved in field work. This is time set aside to work in a congregation in
the St. Louis area. While I have not taken the classes that allow me to preach
or lead worship, there are still many things I can do. I have been placed at
Ascension Lutheran, an LCMS congregation five miles from the seminary campus. Since
I have only been at the congregation a few weeks, I am still building
relationships with the members. Currently, I am working with a few other
seminary students in a Nepalese Bible study. Over the last three years, people
from Nepal have moved into the neighborhood of Ascension. The Nepalese
primarily practice Hinduism. However, there is a group of about twenty people
that have converted to Christianity. They have been baptized, and some are
already taking communion. Only some of the Nepalese know English. For this
reason, the Bible studies are in a bi-lingual format. Usually, the teenagers
are translating for the adults. While I am still new to the church, it is such
a joy to be sharing in the ministry of Ascension Lutheran.

MissionShift

As part of my first-year field work, I am taking part
in a new course called MissionShift.
On Monday nights, we meet in a large group a church near downtown St. Louis.
The course is not strictly reserved for seminary students. There are many lay
leaders and pastors from other congregations in the St. Louis area attending
the class. The focus of MissionShift is
on the changing cultures in our American cities. With the change, there are now
many cultures and ethnicities living near each other. The church is called to
reach these people. One of the most effective ways to reach people with the
Gospel is by building relationships. MissionShift
is designed to teach us how to build these relationships across cultures. So
far, we have focused on racism and poverty in St. Louis and different cultural
norms that can effect communication.

Cassie’s Life

Cassie is quite busy as well. She is finishing up her
bachelor’s degree in Family Life Education with an online cohort. Recently, she
has been highly recommended for the master’s program. Therefore, the
application and interview process for the program will begin soon. Cassie also
works full time at a Lutheran school in northern St. Louis. She aids in the
teaching of K-3rd grade students. The school is ethnically diverse,
and Cassie has enjoyed working with a different culture. There are many new
things to learn about family systems, and the way their children are raised.
The school reaches out to many students stuck in less fortunate living
situations. The school is also struggling financially. The teachers and
administrative staff are working very hard to make sure the school stays open
so that the ministry can continue.

Prayer

I do want to note how important it is to have people praying
for us while we are in St. Louis. Many times, we think that churches and
seminaries are “safe places” away from the evil of Satan and the world.
However, it actually can be quite the opposite. Satan is continuously trying to
thwart the growth and spread of the Gospel. Because of this, spiritual warefare
can be seen on campus in the every day lives of students. So I eagerly ask you
to pray for spiritual protection for the students and staff on campus—that they
remain safe, healthy, and focused on Christ. Please also pray that students can
keep up with their studies and family lives. Many students have children as well.
This can be another struggle to balance family time and work time. If you wish,
here are some other things that it would be wonderful to have you praying
about:

·For the city of St. Louis—the crime rate is
high, poverty is high, and unemployment is high

·For Cassie as she balances work and school

·For Ascension Lutheran Church in St. Louis—that
they may continue to touch the lives of the Nepalese. Pray that God would raise
up Christian leaders among the people of Nepal.

·Almost all seminary
students struggle with finances at the seminary. Pray that God would continue
to raise up people willing to financially support the seminarians.